Malawi women's national football team

Malawi
Nickname(s)	Scorchers
Association	FAM
Confederation	CAF
Sub-confederation	COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach	Lovermore Fazili
Captain	Tabitha Chawinga; Chisomo Kazisonga
Home stadium	Bingu National Stadium
FIFA code	MWI
First colours	Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	154 2 (6 March 2025)
Highest	110 (December 2017 – March 2018)
Lowest	159 (June – August 2023)
First international
	Zambia 8–0 Malawi ; (Harare, Zimbabwe; 20 April 2002)
Biggest win
	Malawi 17–0 Seychelles ; (Blantyre, Malawi; 25 September 2023); Malawi 17–0 Seychelles ; (Blantyre, Malawi; 28 September 2023)
Biggest defeat
	Zambia 8–0 Malawi ; (Harare, Zimbabwe; 20 April 2002)

The Malawi women's national football team represents Malawi in women's football at international level. It is overseen by the Football Association of Malawi.

In 2020 the nickname Scorchers was adopted for the team. Previously it was referred to as She-Flames.^[2]

In 2023 Malawi won their first and only COSAFA title defeating Zambia 2–1 at the final.^[3] It was announced shortly after Malawi won the COSAFA that there controversially would be no prize money available for any of the national teams.^[4]

In February 2025 seven players flew back to Africa to join others picked to play Zambia by Lovemore Fazili.^[5] Chimwemwe Madise and Sabina Thom are contracted to play in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Tabitha Chawinga and Rose Kabzere were in France. Bernadette Mkandawire was with Vanessa Chikupira in Zambia and Temwa Chawinga joined them from America.^[6]

Coaching staff

As of July 2024

Role	Name
Head coach	Lovermore Fazili
Assistant coach	Maggie Chambo

Managers History

Temwa Msuku (2012)^[7]
Thom Mkorongo (2015)^[8]
Maggie Chombo-Sadik (2016–2018)^[9]
Stuart Mbolembole (2018)^[10]
Abel Mkandawire (2019)^[11]^[12]
McNebert Kazuwa (2020–2021)^[13]
Lovermore Fazili (2023-)

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Win Draw Lose Fixture

2024

23 October 2024 (2024-10-23) 2024 COSAFA WC GS	Malawi	1–1	Botswana	Ibhayi, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2	Chizimu 28'	Report	Moloi 40'	Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium Referee: Nteboheleng Setoko (Lesotho)

26 October 2024 (2024-10-26) 2024 COSAFA WC GS	Malawi	1–0	Madagascar	Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2	Simwaka 7'	Report		Stadium: Madibaz Stadium Referee: Seonyatseng Tshephe (Botswana)

28 October 2024 (2024-10-28) 2024 COSAFA WC GS	Mauritius	0–9	Malawi	Gqeberha, South Africa
12:00 UTC+2		Report	Chinyamula 8', 51', 79' Thom 23' (pen.), 70' (pen.), 83' Simwaka 27' Kachala 86' Kenneth 90+13'	Stadium: Madibaz Stadium Referee: Nteboheleng Setoko (Lesotho)

31 October 2024 (2024-10-31) 2024 COSAFA WC SF	Malawi	0–2	Zambia	Ibhayi, South Africa
14:00 UTC+2		Report	Lubandji 46' Mukoma 68'	Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium Referee: Vistoria Nuusiku Shangula (Namibia)

2025

20 February 2025 (2025-02-20) 2026 WAFCON qualifying	Malawi	Cancelled	Congo	Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Bingu National Stadium

26 February 2025 (2025-02-26) 2026 WAFCON qualifying	Congo	Cancelled	Malawi	Brazzaville, Congo
15:30 UTC+1		Report		Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat

23 February Friendly	Zambia	2–0	Malawi	Lusaka, Zambia
11:00 UTC+2	Chitundu 20' Kundananji 79'	Report		Stadium: REIZ Arena

25 February Friendly	Zambia	2–3	Malawi	Lusaka, Zambia
11:30 UTC+2	Kundananji 6' Nachula 80'	Report	Kadzere 47' Chinzimu 56' Thom 61'	Stadium: REIZ Arena

5 April Friendly	South Africa	3-0	Malawi	Johannesburg,South Africa
--:-- UTC+2	Mthandi 13', 53' Motlhalo 22'			Stadium: UJ Soweto campus

8 April Friendly	South Africa	2-1	Malawi	Johannesburg,South Africa
--:-- UTC+2	Magaia 74' Motau 88'		Chikupira 58'	Stadium: UJ Soweto campus

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for two friendly matches against South Africa on April 2025.^[5]

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Club
1	1GK	Mercy Sikelo	(2000-11-28) November 28, 2000 (age 24)	Ntopwa
16	1GK	Yamikani Kaonga	(2004-10-11) October 11, 2004 (age 20)	MDF Lioness
1	1GK	Ireen Sibande		Silver strikers Ladies

4	2DF	Chimwemwe Madise	(1992-04-06) April 6, 1992 (age 33)	TP Mazembe
23	2DF	Benadetta Mkandawire	(2003-09-28) September 28, 2003 (age 21)	BIIK Kazygurt
18	2DF	Ireen Khumalo	(2003-12-12) December 12, 2003 (age 21)	Silver Strikers
21	2DF	Rose Alufandika	(2005-11-04) November 4, 2005 (age 19)	Ntopwa
5	2DF	Maureen Kenneth	(2007-10-28)October 28, 2007 (aged 16)	Ascent Academy
14	2DF	Maggie Chavula	(2005-04-28) April 28, 2005 (age 20)	Ascent Academy
3	2DF	Justina Jumbo		Silver strikers Ladies
3	2DF	Olivia Phikani		Kukoma Ntopwa

15	3MF	Leticia Chinyamula	(2006-06-12) June 12, 2006 (age 18)	Ascent Academy
8	3MF	Tendai Sani	(2004-01-11) January 11, 2004 (age 21)	Nyasa Big Bullets
12	3MF	Zainab Kapanda	(2002-03-12) March 12, 2002 (age 23)	Nyasa Big Bullets
	3MF	Jessie Yosefe		CIVO
19	3MF	Carolyne Mathyola	(1999-05-03) May 3, 1999 (age 25)	Silver Strikers
20	3MF	Funny Magombo	(2005-04-05) April 5, 2005 (age 20)	Ntopwa
	3MF	Lydia Mchochoma
	3MF	Faluna Umali

7	4FW	Chisomo Banda		Silver Strikers
	4FW	Vitumbiko Mkandawire	March 17	ZISD
9	4FW	Sabina Thom	(1996-03-03) March 3, 1996 (age 29)	TP Mazembe
13	3MF	Vanessa Chikupira	(1991-04-02) April 2, 1991 (age 34)	BIIK Kazygurt

Recent call-ups

The following players had been called up to a squad in 12 months preceding the above draft.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Hendrina Phiri				Fact	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE

DF	Joyce Oposi				MDF	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE
DF	Gladys Joseph				CIVO	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE
DF	Grace Yotamu				Nyasa Big Bullets	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE
DF	Patricia Nyirenda	(1998-04-08) April 8, 1998 (age 27)			MDF	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship
DF	Tamala Simeza		-	-	Blue Eagles	v. Zambia,25 February 2025

MF	Letticia Chinyamula	(2006-06-12) June 12, 2006 (age 18)			Ascent Academy	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE
MF	Caroline Matchola				Silver Strikers	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE
MF	Ruth Tambala				MDF	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE
MF	Wezzie Chavura				Silver Strikers	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE
MF	Linda Manda				Silver Strikers	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE
MF	Pililani Malora				Nyasa Big Bullets	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship
MF	Asimenye Simwaka	(1997-08-08) August 8, 1997 (age 27)			MDF	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship
MF	Lyna James	(1998-11-23) November 23, 1998 (age 26)			Nyasa Big Bullets	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship
MF	Faith Chimzimu	(2007-02-21) February 21, 2007 (age 18)	-	-	Ascent Academy	v. Zambia,25 February 2025
MF	Rose Kadzere	(2006-06-16) June 16, 2006 (age 18)	-	-	Montpellier	v. Zambia,25 February 2025
MF	Sara Mulimbika	(2007-01-11) January 11, 2007 (age 18)	-	-	Ndirande	v. Zambia,25 February 2025

FW	Kandau Banda				Ntopwa	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE
FW	Annie Mughogho				Hungry Lions	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE
FW	Chioma Okafor				University of Connecticut	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE
FW	Mary Chavinda				Rayon Sports	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship
FW	Temwa Chawinga	(1998-09-20) September 20, 1998 (age 26)	-	-	Kansas City	v. Zambia,25 February 2025
FW	Tabitha Chawinga	(1996-05-22) May 22, 1996 (age 28)	-	-	Lyon	v. Zambia,25 February 2025
FW	Catherine Kachala	(2001-10-01) October 1, 2001 (age 23)	-	-	MDF	v. Zambia,25 February 2025

Previous squads

COSAFA Women's Championship

Tournament

World Cup

Year	Round	GP	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GD
2007	Did not qualify
2011	Did not enter
2015	Did not enter
2019	Did not enter
2023	Did not qualify
2027	To be determined

Olympic Games

Year	Round	Pld	W	D*	L	GS	GA	GD
2008	Did not qualify
2012	Did not enter
2016
2020
2024

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Africa Cup

Year	Round	Matches	Wins	Draws	Losses	GF	GA
2004 to 2006	Did not qualify
2008 to 2010	Did not enter
2012	Did not qualify
2014 to 2018	Did not enter
2022	Did not qualify
2024	Did not enter

African Games

Year	Round	Matches	Wins	Draws	Losses	GF	GA	GD
2007	Did not enter
2011
2015
2019
2023	Did not qualify

COSAFA Championship

Year	Round	Pld	W	D*	L	GS	GA	GD
2002	Group stage
2006	Group stage
2008	Did not enter
2011	4th	4	1	1	2	8	14	−6
2017	Group stage	3	1	1	1	12	12	0
2018	Group stage	3	1	0	2	2	8	−6
2019	Group stage	3	2	0	1	16	3	+13
2020	3rd	2	2	0	1	12	6	+6
2021	Runner up	5	3	0	2	9	7	+2
2023	Winners	5	5	0	0	19	6	+13

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

References

^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
^ "Call them 'The Scorchers', not 'She-Flames'". Archived from the original on 27 October 2020.
^ Diamond, Drew (17 October 2023). "COSAFA Cup: Malawi claim historic title with win over Zambia". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
^ Diamond, Drew (19 October 2023). "COSAFA Champions Malawi to receive zero prize money". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Scorchers final squad for two friendly matches against South Africa". fam.mw. Football Association of Malawi. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
^ Chirwa, Garry (17 February 2025). "Temwa in, Fazili names final squad". Nation Online. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
^ "She-polopolo massacre Malawi 7–0". 14 January 2012.
^ "Thom Mkorongo appointed women's coach - the Times Group Malawi". 21 July 2015.
^ "She-Flames coaches' contracts expire - the Times Group Malawi". 24 January 2019.
^ "She-Flames coach Stuart Mbolembole quits - the Times Group Malawi". 26 February 2018.
^ "Abel Mkandawire is new She-Flames coach - the Times Group Malawi". 12 March 2019.
^ "She-Flames coaches fired - the Times Group Malawi". November 2019.
^ "FA Malawi appoints Kazuwa, Nkolongo as women football coaches – Malawi Nyasa Times – News from Malawi about Malawi". 11 March 2020.

External links

[FIFA_Women's_World_Rankings-1] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025.

[2] "Call them 'The Scorchers', not 'She-Flames'". Archived from the original on 27 October 2020.

[3] Diamond, Drew (17 October 2023). "COSAFA Cup: Malawi claim historic title with win over Zambia". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 17 October 2023.

[4] Diamond, Drew (19 October 2023). "COSAFA Champions Malawi to receive zero prize money". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 23 October 2023.

[zamb25-5] "Scorchers final squad for two friendly matches against South Africa". fam.mw. Football Association of Malawi. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 2 April 2025.

[6] Chirwa, Garry (17 February 2025). "Temwa in, Fazili names final squad". Nation Online. Retrieved 26 February 2025.

[7] "She-polopolo massacre Malawi 7–0". 14 January 2012.

[8] "Thom Mkorongo appointed women's coach - the Times Group Malawi". 21 July 2015.

[9] "She-Flames coaches' contracts expire - the Times Group Malawi". 24 January 2019.

[10] "She-Flames coach Stuart Mbolembole quits - the Times Group Malawi". 26 February 2018.

[11] "Abel Mkandawire is new She-Flames coach - the Times Group Malawi". 12 March 2019.

[12] "She-Flames coaches fired - the Times Group Malawi". November 2019.

[13] "FA Malawi appoints Kazuwa, Nkolongo as women football coaches – Malawi Nyasa Times – News from Malawi about Malawi". 11 March 2020.

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v t e National women's football teams of Africa (CAF)
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